Heat exchanger



Feb. 7, 1933. L. P. WHITAKER HEAT EXCHANGER Original Filed Jan. 31, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet R O T N E v m Feb. 7, 1933. P w rr R 1,896,502

HEAT EXCHANGER Original Filed Jan. 31, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Ql mmm;

n med at. 7, 1933 umTEo -srA'ras" LOUIS PBEVOST WHITAKER, OI

YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB T 8. B. D W

ram-name comm, or nuns-can, rmsnvama, a conroiu'rion or ran:-

mvama nm'r nxcmenn Original application filed January 31, D81, Serial No. 512,576. Divided and this application filed October 10, 1981. Serial No. 568,007.

My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which show sevdrical portions.

eral embodiments in which in invention may be carried into effect, selec by me for purposes of illustration, and the said invention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

My invention is an improved heat-ex-' changer, adapted especially for the transmission of heat in heating or cooling systems. The process which I preferably employ in the manufacture of my improved heat exchangers as hereinafter described, is not claimed herein, as it forms the subject matter of my former application fir Letters Patent of the United States, filed January 31, 1931, Serial No. 512,576, of which this application is a division.

Heat exchangers of this kind ordinarily comprise a plurality offinsor plates in spaced parallel relation, and extending in all directions from a fluid conducting passage or conduit with which the fins are united.

In carrying out my present invention I provide a plurality of plates or fins formed of sheet metal, each having an aperture (or apertures) therein surrounded by integral cylindrical flange portions of difierent diameters, and connected by an annular ortion, substantially parallel to the lane 0 the late or fin, and provided with apertures ormed by cutting away a vei'ly large proportion of the metal of said an ar flange, leaving separated portions connecting the cylin- A plurality of said lates or fins are assembled in a bullt up re ation in connection with a suitable support, with the cylindrical portions in registration, and

forming inner and outer cylindrical I'noldwalls, between which a suitable casting metal is poured and passes down throughthe apertures in the annular flanges of the several plates or fins, forming when cooled a cylindrical cast wall between said cylindrical flanges, in which the connecting portions of said annular bedded or fused, and connecting the plates or fins to form a heat exchanging unit. It

will be understood that the cy in rical porfree from one flanges are interlocked and em tions of smaller diameter form the inner mold wall,v while those of lar er diameter form the outer mold. wall, thus using, if desired, with the use of mold mem the inner and outer faces of the tubular casting, and leaving the ace witliin the c lindrlcal flanges of sm er diameter entirely end to the other, and I prefer to heat the interior mold wall so formed, by means such as highly heated air or-gases, or products of combustion, me'ans,'during the casting, to assist in insuring the proper flow of the cast metal through the apertures in the annular flanges of the plates or fins, and around the connecting portions thereof. The lates or fins ma be held in spaced relation by one or both 0 the cylindrical portions thereof, and maybe provided with stamped-up spacing devices at a distancefrom the cylindrical portions, if desired. The plates or fins may also be conreceive connecting bolts for holding them in assembled relation, castin operation, which bolts can be removed aftert ecasting operation. The unit is referably provided at each end of the tulEular wall formed by the inner and outer cylindrical portions and thecast portions therebetween, with internally threaded collars,

pressed in position prior to the casting operation or thereafter, and plain'end' which may be rs conforming to prior to and during the no or other heating 'veniently provided with registering holes to 1 portion omitted and indicated in, dotted lines,

showing a plurality of plates or fins, assembled in association with a bottom mold member, ready for pouring the casting metal.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of one of the fin plates.

of one of the fin plates or Fig. 4 is a similar view showing .two plates Fig. 3 is a perspective view,- partly 1n sec-. tion, of a portion fins i or fins, of a slightly modified form in assembled relation.

Fig.5 is a side view, partly in section, and partly broken away, of a completed unit, constructed, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of another modified form of plate or fin.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on of Fig. 6.

In carrying out my invention I form a plurality of plates or fins, 1, one form of which I have indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and which are preferably pressed or stamped from sheet metal such as copper, aluminum, iron or steel, for example, and which may be circular or rectangular, or of any other the line 7-7 desired form. Each plate is preferably pro-.

vided with a centrally located aperture, 1m, and the marginal portions surrounding said apertures are pressed so as to form two cylindrical flanges, 2 and 4, respectively, substantially perpendicular to the plane of the late, of different diameters, and connected y an annular flange, 3, extending from one cylindrical flange to the other. The flange 2, of greater diameter, extends from the main body of the plate, 1, to the outer edge of the annular flange, 3, and the cylindrical flange 4, extends in the same direction from the inner edge of said annular flange, 3, in the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, forming annular steps, the cylindrical flanges, 2 and 4, being of the same length axially corresponding with the spacing desired between the plates. The annular flange, 3, is provided with large apertures 5, formed by cutting away a large proportion of the flange, leaving narrow separated portions, 5a, connecting the cylindrical flanges, 2 and 4. The plates, 1, are preferably provided with auxiliary spacing elements, located at a distance from the cylindrical portions, and these may be formed by portions of the plate bent perpendicularly thereto, for example, by struck up lugs or projections, 6; as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The plates, 1, are also'preferably provided with a plurality of registering bolt holes, 7, to receive clamping bolts, 8, for holding the plates in assembled relation.

A plurality of these plates suflicient to form a fin unit of desired length, are assembled with the inner and outer cylindrical ortions, 2 and 4, in registration, and with t eir bolt holes, 7, (where these are provided) also in registration, so as to form a built up structure, which is supported in vertical position upon a supporting plate,'indicated at 9, provided preferably with a central aperture, 10, of the same diameter as the inner cylindrical flanges of the plates, and having an annular recess, 11, in its upper face, coaxial with said aperture to receive the outer cylindrical flange, 2, and annular flange, 3, of the lowermost plate of the series, indicated at 1a, which will preferably be formed with the inner cylindrical flan e omitted, or renioved therefrom. In Fig. 1, I have shown one of the connecting bolts, 8, extending through the registering bolt holes in the plates and having a threaded portion to engage a threaded aperture, 12, in the supporting plate, 9. Any desired number of connecting bolts may be used as desired, and they will hold the plates in assembled relation as shown in Fig. 1, the inner cylindrical portions, 4, forming a continuous interior mold wall, and the outer cylindrical portions forming a continuous exterior mold wall, the spaces between said mold walls being connected throughout the length of the built up structure by the apertures, 5, in the annular desired way, either before or after the casting operation. It will be seen that in the built up unit the central longitudinal aperture is entirely unobstructed so that any desired heating means can be introduced therein during the casting operation to facilitate the flow of the cast metal and prevent its cooling too soon by contact with the plates. Any desired form of heating means maybe employed to maintain the plates, and particularly the inner mold walls, and the adjacent portions of the plates at the desired temperature.

In the drawings I have illustrated, in Fig. 1, a gas burner, 14, located below the supporting plate, 9, and discharging its products of combustion, and if necessary the flame itself upwardly through the central passage within the inner mold walls. This will heat all portions of the plate and will heat the lower plates to a greater extent than those near the upper end, which will first come into contact with the casting metal, thus compensating for the loss of heat in the casting metal as it flows toward the bottom of the mold. I do not limit myself, however, to this form of heating means.

The castin metal ma -be of any suitable kind. I pre er to ernp oy .a casting metal having a lower fusing or melting point than the metal from which 'the plates are formed, I find it desirable to use aluminum or aluminum alloy, as the casting metal, in which case the plates are conveniently made of copper, sheet iron, or steel, or aluminum alloy of igher melting point than the casting alloy.

plate. A very satisfactory heat exchanger is in add sfymmetry to the unit, plain end pla are constructed exactly this construction 45 the flanges, 102 and 59 portion of the 5 this form 0 as It will be understood that The built up structure being e 5 the inner and outer mold walls formed by'the integral 0 lindrical flanges of the pla and around t e connecting 'rtion's, 5a, 0 the flanges, 3, as shown at 16 in Fig. 5, and will unite all the platesof the unit into a substan- I tubular passage, and the spaced radiating fins or plates, the portions, 6a, of which are interlocked in or m some instances fused in the cast metal, 16, which is also united wifth th}:

0 eac thus formed, in which the heat is readily and quickly transmitted through the tubular ortion to the fins or vice versa. If desir to 15, o the same size as and provided with apertures to en collars, 13 ma as shown in the unit.

In Fig. 4 have shown a modified form of plate in which the parts are indicated by the plates or fins, 1, the

be pressed upon sai collars, ig. 5, or otherwise secured to the same reference characters,-with the addi-* tion of 100. In t re the pla 101, z a s before dos c i'ibed, except that the innercylindrical flange, 104, of smaller diameter, is bent backward from the annular flange, 103, and lies on the same side of it as the cylindrical portion, 102, of

larger diameter. In assembling the plates, these cylindrical portions space the plates and form inner and outer mold walls, as previously described. It will be possible in using i also by having the edges of the cylindrical rtions, 102 and 104 remote from the an ar flange, 103, separated a slightly greater distance than they are at the opposite edges of the flange, 103, and making 104 of slightly greater depth than the auxiliary spacing elements, 106, to slightly nest the lates with the channel portion formed b flanges, 102, 103, 104, of one inserted slightly; into the channel adjacent p te, and thus assisting preventing any esca metal between plates and stifienmg the structure. This nesting of the plates is illustratedjin Fig. 4 but is not essential to the use of f plates.

In Figs. 6 and 7, in which the corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals with the addition of 200, I have shown another modified form of plate, 201, which is so rectangular in form and has two opposite edges bent at right'angles on the same faceof the plate to form auxlhary acing elements, 206, the other portions 0 the plate being formed as shown in Fig. 1..

while 'I have integral body comprising the central of casting ation.

- will vary depending shown aunit in which the plates are provided with a single tubular conducting passage, units may be formed in like manner with two or more tubular passages, if desired. I prefer, however,'to form them as shown, as in many instances the comparatively small dimensions of the lates w1ll permit them to be stain ed, presse or formed from scrap plate or at er. waste material, economy of production.

.. In the formation of the plates or fins it is with corresponding immaterial so far as my present invention is.

' concerned, whether they are produced by a single stamping or pressing or punching operation, or

one. i

apply a heat medium to the passage forme b the aligned cylindrical portions-of the p ates of and to introduce the heating medium as shown at the lower end of the built up structure and pass it through the cylindrical assage, in adirection opposite to the flow o the desired, the longitudinal passage within the plate portions of smaller aligned cylindrical diameter maybe reinforced temporarily by a removable core of sand or other suitable material, although I prefer to kee this central passage open heating medium into said passage; It is also to he understood that the outer mold wall formed bythe cylindricalplate portions of larger diameter,may als'o'be temporaril re-. inforced in suitable manner,'if desire as by, placking'sand between the outer portions of t e plates'and incontact with drical portions should be desired or sup other or temporarily reinforcing rtm said cylindrical portions in any as to the body of cast metal formed between the inner and outer mold walls, and that the substantially radially extending/and spaced connecting portions, 6, whic, unite the cylindrical portions of difl'erent plate are firml n the bod o the" bond these spaced connect anchored within or embedded on the (character of the or example, the bondk may be.

metals-- by a series of successive opera,-.

smaller diameter,

ates

for the intro notion of.

While I find it convenient'and desirable to y cylindrical said-cylins of greater diameter, if this manner during the casting oper-r diameters 1 of each J25 cast metal. The ;characterof tween the cast metal body and portions of the plates 7 e with cylindrical from which the plates are made, there may -even be fusion, that is to say, a union analogous to. weldin between the cast metal and the portions the plates with which they come in contact. In such cases, however, it 5 would be desirable or necessary to support the inner and outer mold walls formed by the cylindrical portions of different diameters of the plates, during the casting of the tubular portlon, in order to prevent said'walls from colvlspsing.

at I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' 1. A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of spaced apertured plates, each provided portions of different diameters coaxial with the aperture in the plate and united by spaced connecting portions, the cylindrical portions of larger and smaller diameter respectively being in substantial alignment, and a c lindrical body of cast metal completely filling the space between the aligned cylindrical. portions of different diameters, uniting said plates and having said connecting portions anchored therein.

.2. A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of spaced apertured plates, each provided with two integral cylindrical flange portions of difierent diameters coaxial with the aperture in the plate and connected by an annular flange disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the main body of the plate and at a distance therefrom, said annular flangebeing cut away at intervals to form substantially radial connecting portions tween said cylindrical flanges, the cylindrical flanges 0t larger and smaller diameters of said plates being respectively disposed in alignment, and a cylindrical body of cast metal located between the cylindrical portions of larger and smaller diameter connecting said plates and having said radialconnectin portions thereof anchored in said cast meta body.

3. A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of spaced apertured plates, each provided with two integral cylindrical flange portions of difierent diameters coaxial with the aperture in the plate and connected by an annular flange disposed in a plane parallel to the vplane of the main body of the plate and at a distance therefrom, said annular flange being cut away at intervals to form substantiall radial connecting portionsbetween said cylindrical flan es, said cylindrical flan es lying on opposite sides of said annular ange,

the cylindrical flange of said plates of larger and smaller diameter respectively being in alignment, and a cast metal cylindrical wall lying between said flanges of differentdiameters, connecting all of said plates and having said radial connecting portions anchored therein.

4. A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of spaced apertured plates, each provided with cylindrical portions of different diameters coaxial with the aperture in the plate and united by spaced connecting portions, the cylindrical portions of larger and smaller diameter respectively being in substantial alignment, and a cylindrical body of cast metal between the aligned cylindrical portions of different diameters uniting said plates and having said connecting portions anchored therein, and internally threaded collars inserted within the cylindrical portions of certain of said plates adjacent to each end of the unit, and a face plate at each end of the unit having an aperture coaxial.

with the said collars and rigidly connected with the unit.

5. A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of spaced apertured plates, each provided with cylindrical portions of different diameters coaxial with theaperture in the plate and united by spaced connecting portions, the cylindrical portions of larger and smaller diameter respectively being in substantial alignment, and a cylindrical body of cast metal between the aligned cylindricalportions of different diameters uniting said plates and having said connecting portions anchored therein, and internally threaded collars inserted within the cylindrical portions of certain of said plates adjacent to each end of the unit, plain end plates provided with apertures for engaging the said collars at the opposite ends of the units and rigidly secured to said collars.

6. A heat exchanger comprising a plurality'of spaced apertured plates, each provide with cylindrical portions of difierent diameters coaxial with the aperture in the plate and united by spacedconnecting portions, the cylindrical portions of larger and smaller diameter respectively being in substantially alignment, and a cylindrical body of cast metal between the aligned cylindrical portions of different diameters uniting said plates and having said connecting portions anchored therein, each of said plates being provided with laterally disposed spacing means extending between it and an adjacent plate, and located at a distance from the said cylindrical portions of the plate.

7. A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of spaced parallel apertured plates, each provided with two integral cylindrical portions of diflerent diameters coaxial with the aperture in said plate and united by spaced connecting portions located in a plane paralaseaeoa lel with but at a distance from the plane of the main body of the plate, the cylindrical portions of larger and smaller diameter being respectively disposed in alignment, and a cylindrical body of cast metal located between the cylindrical portions of larger and smaller. diameter connecting said plates and having said connecting portions thereof anchored in said cast metal body.

8. A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of spaced parallel apertured plates, each provided with two integral cylindrical portions of different diameters coan'alwith the aperture in said plate united by spaced connecting portions located in a plane parallel with but at a distance from the plane of the main body of the plate and lying on opposite" sides of the plane of said connecting portions, the cylindrical portions of said plates of larger and smaller diameter respectively being in substantial alignment, and a cylindrical body of cast metal located between the cylindrical portions of larger and smaller diameter connecting said plates and ha said connecting portions thereof anchore therein. i

In testimony whereof I aflix mfi si ature.

LOUIS PREVOST WHI A%ER. 

